N.J. Admin. Code § 8:17-4.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 8:17-4.2 - Parent consent

(a) Each service coordinator assigned to a family shall provide information regarding evaluation and assessment processes and service options, so that parents have a clear understanding about the purpose and impact of their consent.

(b) Each service coordinator shall obtain written parental consent prior to:

1. Conducting an initial evaluation and assessment; and

2. Arranging for the provision of early intervention services.

(c) The service coordinator shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that a parent, in granting consent, understands that:

1. The parent is agreeing to satisfy the family cost share calculated pursuant to 8:17-9.2; and

2. The Department shall not provide and/or shall terminate the provision of early intervention services if the family fails or refuses to pay the family's cost share calculated pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:17-9.2.

(d) If a parent does not consent, the service coordinator shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the parent understands:

1. The nature of the evaluation and assessment and the types of services that would be available were the parent to consent and were the child determined eligible;

2. That the child will not receive evaluation, assessment, or early intervention services;

3. That a parent may determine whether he or she, or the child, or other family members will accept or decline any early intervention service identified in the evaluation and assessment process established pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:17-6; and

4. That a parent may decline any or all services at any time after first accepting them without jeopardizing the eligibility of the child or the child's family for other early intervention services.

(e) The Department shall respect and honor a parent's refusal to consent to participation in early intervention services.

(f) If there are circumstances that lead a service coordinator to believe reasonably that a child is the victim of child abuse or neglect, the service coordinator shall comply with N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.1 0.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:17-4.2